Here is that watch that I bought from the minibus-park vendor in Iringa. Classy, isn't it? (You can't see how extremely UNclassy it is in this photo.)
I left Mbeya late because I wanted to use the internet in the morning. Miles (tour leader) was very worried about this, didn't want me to leave late, because it was a border crossing and the Tour d'Afrique rules are that the tour leaders have to wait at the border until everybody is across. He said, "Please don't be late. Please, please, please, don't make us wait." I said, "O.k., I'll be there as soon as possible." You could tell he was agitated. I went back in the hotel (whose grounds we were camping on) to have breakfast. While sitting there, Miles sent in an ambassador (named Duncan) to reiterate the same message. "Leigh Anne, you must be at the border by 12:00 noon," he said. The border was 100 km away, starting with a 25 km climb. I said, "If I started now, I wouldn't be there until 5:00. I promise to be there before that. I'll take transport part of the way if I have to." Duncan also seemed agitated, but left.
After all that, I was very edgy and determined not to cause worry or trouble by being late. So, I just did my internet thing and then took a minibus all the way to the border. Got there at 2:00, earlier than I've ever made a border in this whole trip! One good adventure happened on the minibus. Shortly after leaving Mbeya, we were stopped by police. The driver and his conductor got out. I was seated in the very back row, so had a good view of what was going on on the road behind me. First, the driver pleaded with the police. Then he walked away while the conductor pleaded. While the condu
ctor was making his case, and the police didn't seem to be listening, the driver pulled out some money. I pulled out my camera. Had my camera up to the back window, waiting for the exchange. Other passengers giggled nervously. I got a shot of our friend approaching the police, but, sadly, when the actual exchange was made, the policeman was facing our way so I had to duck the camera. Here is the best we got of the juicy encounter.
ctor was making his case, and the police didn't seem to be listening, the driver pulled out some money. I pulled out my camera. Had my camera up to the back window, waiting for the exchange. Other passengers giggled nervously. I got a shot of our friend approaching the police, but, sadly, when the actual exchange was made, the policeman was facing our way so I had to duck the camera. Here is the best we got of the juicy encounter.After that, things went sadly smoothly (how boring) and we made it to the border with no more ado.
Then I crossed the border. Wow! The glee in my heart! It was immediate. I didn't expect to feel this way. I love Malawi! Can I move back here?
------------------- TODAY ------------------- TOTAL
Cycled ------------ 10 km (6 mi) -------------- 4,091 km (2,564 mi)
Sagged ------------ 100 km (63 mi) ----------- 2,357 km (1,580 mi)
Total ------------- 110 km (69 mi) ------------ 6,448 km (4,144 mi)
In Saddle --------- 45 min ---------------------- 260 hours 2 min
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